Salvator Rosa Carnarvon National Park

What's special?

Spring-fed Nogoa River and Louisa Creek wind through a picturesque broad valley beneath craggy sandstone outcrops in the Salvator Rosa Section of Carnarvon National Park. At the western edge of central Queensland’s sandstone belt, Salvator Rosa contains deeply eroded and spectacular rock formations, such as Spyglass Peak and the Sentinel, which dominate the skyline.Eucalypt woodland and open forest cover most of the park. The wildflower displays are spectacular in spring. At least 10 of the park’s recorded 300 plant species are rare or threatened.Explorer Thomas Mitchell named this valley during his 1846 Gulf of Carpentaria expedition and established a base camp here later that year.

Exploring Salvator Rosa

This remote park has few facilities, so visitors must be totally self-sufficient.Bush camp in the Nogoa River camping area. Take plenty of food, fuel and vehicle spare parts. Take a fuel stove for cooking. Boil the creek water before drinking. Remove your rubbish.Follow the self-guiding trail through the park to see the park’s main attractions, including crystal-clear Belinda Springs and the historic site of Major Mitchell’s camp.Go birdwatching around the watercourses and springs. See sacred kingfishers, herons, plum-headed finches and honeyeaters. Listen to the pheasant coucal calling from the swamp.Watch the sunrise over the park’s buffs and spires. Scramble up the sandstone range near the campsite for a view over the park.Between April and September is the best time to visit this section as summers can be very hot.

Walking

See the vivid orange-barked yellow-jacket trees as you walk 500m to the base of Spyglass Peak. Be careful, the sandstone crumbles easily.

Getting there

Salvator Rosa lies between Springsure and Tambo. From Springsure, head 114km west along Tambo Road to the park turnoff. From Tambo, head 42km north on the Alpha road then turn east towards Springsure and drive 102km to the Salvator Rosa turnoff. At the turnoff, drive south for 50km via “Cungelella” to the park boundary and a further 4km to the campsite. Conventional access to the camping area is possible but four-wheel-drive is essential inside the park. The access roads become impassable after rain. The nearest fuel is at Springsure or Tambo.